What is embodied carbon (and what can we do about it)?

Reducing the amount of embodied carbon created in the construction process is one of the biggest challenges facing the built environment. The built environment has a pivotal role to play…

10 heat pump myths, debunked

Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions about heat pumps that have held back its adoption in the UK. Heat pumps are widely considered to be one…

Are heat pumps just hot air?

Amid fierce debate in the UK, are heat pumps really the future of sustainable energy, heating and retrofitting in the built environment? If we are to achieve the 2050 net…

16 sustainable and cost-effective building materials

These 16 innovative and eco-friendly materials can help the construction industry address its role in the climate crisis. The built environment is one of the single most pollutive sectors in…

Creating a culture of sustainability: a Q&A with UCEM Project Manager Emma Kearsey

Emma Kearsey, Project Manager at UCEM, gave us an overview of a new initiative at UCEM – the Sustainability Champions. UCEM have launched Sustainability Champions – an internal initiative encouraging…

This is why your sustainability initiatives are failing

Sustainability is no longer a long-term aspiration for the built environment – it’s imperative for any business that wants to survive in the current economic landscape.  Today’s customers and employees…

Green Claims Code checklist: are you guilty of greenwashing?

The Green Claims Code has been developed to help businesses communicate their sustainable practices clearly to customers. Here’s how it works. You may have noticed a shift in the tone…

What is greenwashing (and how can you spot it)?

What are the different ways businesses attempt to remarket and camouflage their environmentally damaging products and operations? With concerns around the ongoing climate crisis growing and new legislation being set…

How the built environment can bridge the green skills gap

Here are 8 ways governments, organisations and individuals can work together to close the skills gap. Making net zero a reality by 2050 will require an enormous effort from businesses,…

Diagnosing the green skills gap: 5 factors fuelling the shortage

The green skills gap is holding back the built environment’s sustainability efforts. Here’s where it’s come from, and why we need to solve it. The built environment is about to…

What is the green skills gap (and why does it matter)?

The built environment is in dire need of sustainability talent. Here are 6 skills that can help close the growing green talent gap. The UK is in a race to…

What is biophilic architecture? 15 real-world examples in the built environment

When coupled with sustainable development, biophilic design can offer significant benefits for the built environment. As an industry currently responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, the built environment…